Strap for nasal cannula and method of holding cannula tubes

ABSTRACT

A securement device for a nasal cannula having a nosepiece and first and second cannula tubes. An elongated strap having a first end and a second end and a first surface and a second surface. The first end encircling the first cannula tube behind and below a user&#39;s one ear, and the second end encircling the second cannula tube behind and below the user&#39;s other ear. The elongated strap first surface has a strip of hook fastener and a cooperating strip of loop fastener near the first end. The first surface has a strip of hook fastener and a cooperating strip of loop fastener near the second end. The strips of hook fastener being adjacent to their respective cooperating strips of loop fastener on the first surface without space between them. The first end encircles the first cannula tube and attaches to itself to form a loop around the first cannula tube with an interior surface, and the second end encircles the second cannula tube and attaches to itself to form a loop around the second cannula tube with an interior surface. The interior surface being covered substantially entirely with the strips of hook fastener and loop fastener.

This application claims priority, and is a U.S.C. 371 national entry, ofPCT Application PCT/U00/41628, international filing date Oct. 25, 2000,and also is a CIP of U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No.09/427,865, U.S. filing date Oct. 26, 1999, which is the priorityapplication for said PCT Application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to nasal cannula devices for assistingbreathing in humans. More specifically, this invention relates to aconvenient and inexpensive strap, and methods, for securely butcomfortably holding the nasal cannula to the head of the wearer, in adiscreet and unobtrusive way that prevents accidental dislodgement andinterruption of supplemental oxygen.

2. Related Art

Many people wear nasal cannula to assist them in breathing. Typically,pure oxygen or air enriched in oxygen is provided under slight positivepressure through plastic tubes to the nostrils of the wearer of thecannula. This way, more oxygen is provided to the lungs of the wearer.

The nasal cannula, however, must be securely held in place under thenostrils of the wearer. Typically, a nosepiece is partially insertedinto the nostrils, and the cannula tubes extend from the nosepiece backover the top of the ears, around the ears and down together along thefront of the chest to the oxygen supply. This conventional securement ofthe cannula often causes discomfort for the wearer. Typically, chafingof the oxygen tubes on the cheeks and over the ears of the wearer areexperienced when prior art securement techniques are utilized. Also, thecannula often may be easily dislodged during sleeping or resting,reducing its effectiveness. Also, because the cannula is uncomfortable,some patients are more likely to purposely remove it or to leave it offwhen it becomes dislodged. Several devices have already been invented toaddress this discomfort and security problem.

For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,259,817 (Hawkins), 2,292,568 (Kanter etal.), and 4,333,143 (Foster) disclose straps which encircle the head tohold a cannula in place. Also, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,117,818 (Palfy) and5,653,228 (Byrd '228) disclose straps which support additional, separatesecuring devices for holding a device next to the face. Palfy includes astrap as part of a complex system, wherein the strap extends from twocar loops of a gastric feeding tube holder around the back of the headgenerally above the ears. Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 5,704,916 (Byrd '916)discloses a strap which extends over the top of the head and holds thecannula up off the ears with clips at the end of the strap, and U.S.Pat. No. 4,836,200 (Clark) discloses a strap that extends over a user'shead and lifts oxygen tubes upwards from the top of the user's cars.

Still there is a need for a convenient and inexpensive securement meansfor holding the nasal cannula securely but comfortably to the head ofthe wearer, but with less structure than prior art devices. Thisinvention addresses that need.

This invention is a simple, and inexpensive strap for stabilizing anasal cannula on a wearer. Preferably, the strap has both hook and loopfasteners at each end. The strap is attached directly to both of theoxygen tubes behind the ears, and rests on the lower back of the head,no higher than the earlobe and preferably behind and below the earlobe,or the nape of the neck of the wearer. This way, the cannula may beconveniently and securely attached to the head of the wearer, whileproviding increased comfort relative to prior art systems. The inventionaccomplishes these objects in a discreet manner with lightweightapparatus that is minimally visible to the patient and to others.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a convenient and inexpensive strap, anda method, for securely and comfortably holding a nasal cannula to thehead of a wearer. Preferably, the strap is made of a substantiallynon-stretchable, cloth or fabric, most preferably Tyveck® material,about ½ in. (1.3 cm) wide and 9½ to 12 in. (24 to 30 cm) long. The straphas detachable attachment mechanisms at each end, so that it may beeasily attached to conventional cannula tubes preferably without anyintermediate apparatus between the strap and the cannula tubes. Thestrap is adjustable and/or has adjustable attachment mechanisms forshortening or lengthening the length of the strap. Preferably, the straphas a ½ in. (1.3 cm) strip of hook fastener, and a 3 in. (7.6 cm) stripof loop fastener at each end on one same side of the cloth. To use thestrap, one end of it is looped and secured to itself

around one of the oxygen tubes, at a position on the oxygen tubegenerally between the ear and the shoulder. The strap extends behind thecars of the wearer, and rests on the lower back of the head generallybelow the ears, at about the nape of the neck of the wearer. The secondend of the strap is looped around the other oxygen tube and secured toitself, in a mirror-image position between the other ear and othershoulder of the patient. Thus, the strap attaches at both ends to thecannula tubes generally below the ears, so that the strap rests wheremost people have a hollow, inwardly-contoured area that is located wherethe head contours to the neck. When positioned in thisinwardly-contoured area, the strap resists being brushed or pulled outof position and does not slip off its position on the head. Also, when awearer rests his/her head against a pillow or other support, the strapis not significantly compressed between the user's skin and a pillow orsupport, because of its position in the contour of the head/neck, ratherthan on the protruding back of the head. Therefore, the strap isunlikely to bruise or hurt the head. Also, because of its preferredposition below the protruding back of the head, in a hollow “H,” ratherthan on a protrusion of the head or over the top of the head, the strapdoes not slip out of position.

When in use, the invented strap is preferably entirely below thepatient's ears and is substantially behind the patient's ears. The strappreferably does not encircle any part of the patient's body, except thatthe strap tends to curve around the back of the neck, that is, about ⅓-½way around the neck. The tension in the strap may be adjusted to pullthe tubes in slightly towards the middle of the back of the head orneck. Thus, the strap may be positioned so that it pulls the tubesslightly off of the back of the ears, but is not positioned so that itlifts the tubes up off of the top of the ears. While preferably holdingthe cannula off of the back of the ears and holding the cannula fromfalling off the ears, the invented strap preferably still allows somemovement of the cannula, relative to the user's ears, the neck, and thestrap itself. This way, the cannula may be conveniently and securelyattached to the head of the wearer, while giving the user both a moresecure and comfortable feeling without giving the user a “strapped-in”feeling. Further, the invented method and strap provide comfortablesecurement without bulky and obtrusive apparatus. The invented methodplaces the compact strap in a position that is barely visible, if atall, from the front of the user as the user rests on a bed or sits in achair. The strap is substantially or entirely concealed behind theperson, depending on the adjustment of the strap and its resultinglength, without portions extending over or in front of the head. Thisallows the user to feel more natural in the use of the cannula and lessconcerned about his/her appearance while using the cannula.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a front view of a user wearing an embodiment of the inventedstrap for holding cannula tubes.

FIG. 1B is a front view of a user wearing the embodiment of FIG. 1A in amore tensioned and higher position, wherein the strap is substantiallyhidden from view from the front.

FIG. 1C is a side view of the user wearing the embodiment of FIG. 1B inthe tensioned higher position.

FIG. 2 is a left side view of a user wearing the strap of FIGS. 1A-C,with the strap in a lower position on the nape of the neck.

FIG. 3 is a right side view of the user wearing a strap according to theinvention in a position as in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a back view of a user wearing a strap according to theinvention in the position of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 5 is a schematic outside surface view of an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic partial perspective view, including two magnifieddetail views, FIGS. 6A and 6B.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the Figures, there is depicted one, but not the only,embodiment of the invented cannula holding device and methods forholding a cannula. As illustrated in the Figures, the invented strap 5is a simple, efficient system for increasing security and comfort foroxygen cannula wearers. The invented strap need only be connected to thecannula tubes, and need not be attached to the nosepiece of the cannula.The invented strap helps insure that the cannula tubes will not fall offor become pulled off the ears. The invented strap increases comfortbecause it reduces/eliminates the chafing of the cannula tubes on theears, because it prevents significant movement of the cannula tubesrelative to the user's skin. The invented device and method work becauseit is inherently more comfortable to wear a cannula system if thecannula tubes are not shifting in position and the cannula nosepiece isnot shifting/shaking in the nostrils, with every slight movement of thewearer.

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate the preferred design and use of the invented strap5. The preferred embodiment attached directly to the cannula tubes, andincludes no band or attachment around any portion of the user's body, nostrap over the user's head, and no attachment to any other clothing orapparatus besides the left and right oxygen-conduit cannula tubes.

On front view FIG. 1A, strap loops 10 and 10′ of the invention may beseen beneath the ears on each side of and behind the wearer's 20 head.The FIG. 1A position is a less-preferred, lower and non-tensionedposition. Nasal cannula 30 has hollow, plastic tubes 35 and 35′ whichextend from both of the wearer's nostrils, up over both cheeks beneaththe eyes, up over both ears, and down over the front of both shouldersto be joined by clip 40 at the front of the chest. Then, the cannulatubes 35 and 35′ extend to an oxygen source (not shown). In FIG. 1A, thestrap 5 is positioned and tightened only to an extent that the ends ofthe loops 10, 10′ show when one is looking straight at the wearer fromthe front, whereas the more preferred positions involve the higher andmore tensioned position of FIGS. 1B and 1C.

In FIGS. 1B and 1C, the strap 5 is positioned in a higher position andslightly tensioned relative to FIG. 1A, illustrating the more preferredposition and condition of strap placement. In this position, as shown inFIGS. 1B and 1C, the strap and its loops 10, 10′ are nearly invisible toa front observer and the strap tends to pull the cannula tubes slightlyoff of the back of the ears. In the extreme, the strap is positioned ator slightly below the level of the earlobe and tensioned to an extentthat places the strap substantially back from the ears wherein the strapis substantially or entirely invisible when the user is viewed from thefront.

In the views of FIGS. 2 and 3, the strap 5 is positioned down somewhat,relative to the placement in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C, which is a positionthat may be comfortable for some wearers depending on the shape and sizeof their head and neck. In left side view FIG. 2, strap 5 and left sidestrap loop 10′ of the invention may be seen beneath the left ear andbehind the head, respectively, of the wearer 20. Cannula 30 with lefttube 35′ and clip 40 also appear in this Figure. In FIG. 2, strap 5 andleft side strap loop 10′ are worn on a lower position on the head thanin FIG. 1.

In right side view FIG. 3, strap 5 and right side strap loop 10 of theinvention may be seen beneath the right ear and behind the head,respectively, of the wearer 20. Cannula 30 with right tube 35 and clip40 also appear in this Figure. In FIG. 3, strap 5 and right side straploop 10 are worn at the same location as in FIG. 2.

In back view FIG. 4, strap 5, left side loop 10′ and right side loop 10of the invention may be seen beneath the ears and behind the head ofwearer 20, with the strap 5 up in the position of FIG. 1A. Cannula lefttube 35′ and right tube 35 also appear in this Figure.

One may see from the Figures that several positions are acceptable forstrap 5, and these positions depend on personal preference and the sizeand shape of the wearer's head, neck and ears, and the position of theears. The strap in all positions is generally horizontal when the weareris standing or sitting vertically upright, which includes positions inwhich the loops 10, 10′ are slightly above the center of the strap.Thus, by locating the strap loops, one is, in effect, also describingthe position of the strap center. The strap is positioned “generallybelow the ears,” which phrase means that the strap may be positioned sothat:

-   -   the strap loops 10, 10′ are within a range from a) the ear lobe,        that is, at most V₂ in. (1.3 cm) up from the lowermost surface        of the ear lobe to b) nearer the shoulders so that the strap        rests midway down on the nape of the neck; or        the strap is more preferably “below the ears,” which phrase        means that the strap is entirely below the ears, and is        positioned so that:    -   the strap loops 10, 10′ are within a range from a) just below        the lowermost surface of the ear lobe to b) nearer the shoulders        so that the strap rests midway down on the nape of the neck.        Also, the strap is positioned “generally behind the ears,” which        phrase means that:    -   the strap with its loops extends only as far forward as the        vertical midline of the ears and rearward from there.        More preferably, the strap is positioned “behind the ears,”        which phrase means that:    -   the strap with its loops are entirely behind the ears.

Thus, there is a range of locations for the invented strap and itsmethods of use, depending of the wearer and need for securement. Theespecially-preferred strap and methods place the attachment points ofthe strap, for example, the preferred loops 10, 10′ within an area “P”directly below and behind the earlobe that is about one inch square(2.54×2.54 cm). This area P may also be described as the recessed areadirectly behind and below the earlobe that is substantially between therear of the jawbone and the neck musculature. The preferred placement ofthe strap is which no part of the strap above the level of the earlobes.Because the end of the human nose is typically at or slightly above thelevel of the ear lobes, the preferred strap placement results in thestrap and loops 10, 10′ being lower on the body than the end of thenose.

In schematic view FIG. 5, strap 5 is depicted with width 18 (about V₂inch (1.3 cm)) and length 19 (about 9-12 inches (23-30 cm)). Strap 5 ispreferably a single, elongated, one-piece strap, without apertures andwithout loops other than the distal end loops 10, 10′. The strap ispreferably made of a generally soft cloth or foam material, so that itdoes not necessarily require additional pads or cushions to be added tothe strap for touching the patient's skin. A non-stretchable material isgreatly preferred, to prevent stretching that might allow the cannulatubes to shift off the ears, dislodge the nosepiece, and defeat thepurpose of the strap. Also, the width of about ½ inch (1.3 cm) ispreferred because a wider strap will tend to longitudinally fold over onitself, and a narrower strap will tend to cut into the skin.

Outside surface 11 of the strap 5 has center 21 and distal ends 22, 23,each of which distal ends 22, 23 may be said to comprise a “distal area”at the outermost end of the strap and an “inner area” slightly closer tothe center 21. The strap has abutting strips of both hook section 12 andloop section 13 fasteners at each of the distal ends 22, 23. Typically,hook section 12 is at the “distal area” of each distal end 22, 23 ofsurface 11, and is shorter (about ⅙ times) than the length of loopsection 13, which is located at the more proximal “inner area” of theends 22, 23. Typically, hook section 12 is about ½ inch (1.3 cm) long,and loop section 13 is about 3 inches (7.6 cm) long. Typically, strap 5and hook and loop sections 12 and 13, respectively, are allapproximately the same width.

The preferred configuration of hook and loop fasteners may therefore bedescribed as being all on a single surface of the invented strap, withno hook and loop fasteners, or fasteners of any kind, on the othersurfaces of the strap. The hook section is adjacent to the loop sectionwithout any significant gap in between, so that the hook and loopmaterial is substantially continuous along up to about 3½ inches (9 cm)along each end of the strap. In this way, each loop 10, 10′ around itsrespective cannula tube has an interior surface surrounding the cannulatube that is covered substantially entirely with hook and loop fastener.This positioning of the book and loop fasteners and the inherentfrictional nature of the hook and loop fasteners allows a significantrange of adjustment of the tightness of the connection between the loops10, 10′ and the cannula tubes. For example, if a non-restrictiveconnection is desired, the loops 10, 10′ may be made to be generallyloose on the cannula tubes, or, if a more restrictive connection isdesired, the loops 10, 10′ may be tightened around the tubes. In thislatter, restrictive connection, the small diameter of the loop and thefrictional surface of the hook and/or loop fastener material contributeto the restrictive nature of the connection. Thus, it is not necessaryor desired to provide a glued, taped, or other integral attachment ofthe strap 5 to the cannula tubes.

The above-described configuration of hook and loop fasteners allowssecurement of the cannula without complex structure. The invented systemis a single, generally horizontal strap 5 that extends from cannula tubeto cannula tube. There is no need for buckle mechanisms, and no need forthe strap ends 22, 23 to meet or overlap. There is no need for any ofthe strap structure to extend forward across the patient's cheeks, lips,nose, or forehead. In its typical use, the forward-most portion of theinvented strap, also the upward-most portion of the strap, is the loop10, 10′ around the cannula tubes.

In schematic partial view FIG. 6 including FIGS. 6A and 6B, outsidesurface 11, and inside surface 16 of substrate 17 are seen. The longsection 13 of loop material shall preferably be made long enough toaccommodate a variety of patient profile dimensions. The combination ofboth right and left side adjustments will allow an overall adjustmentrange equal to the length of the longer section 13. The width 18 issufficient to allow adequate distribution of any pressure or tensiondeveloped by attachment of the support strap 5 to the left 35′ and right35 descending tubes of the nasal cannula 30. The length 19 shall bevariable depending upon the application of the strap 5 to either adults,children, or infants.

The loop (10, 10′) formed by folding the short hook section 12 back onthe longer loop section 13, thereby enclosing the descending tube (35,35′) and maintaining said tube's relative position in front of and tothe side of the neck of the patient does not necessarily create arestrictive connection to the said descending tube. If desired, anon-restrictive connection allows moderate movement of the descendingtubes through the thereby created loops and minimizes unintended pullingon the nasal cannula caused by unconscious and/or involuntary movementsof the sleeping patient.

Although this invention has been described above with reference toparticular means, materials and embodiments, it is to be understood thatthe invention is not limited to these disclosed particulars, but extendsinstead to all equivalents within the scope of the following claims.

1. A method of securing nasal cannula to a wearer's head, the methodcomprising: providing a nasal cannula on a wearer, the nasal cannulahaving a nosepiece and oxygen-conduit right and left cannula tubesextending from the nosepiece, by placing the nosepiece in the wearer'snostril's and looping the right and left cannula tubes over right andleft ears of the wearer, down behind the ears, forward above theshoulders, and to the wearer's front chest; securing the cannula tubesby attaching a securement strap to the right and left cannula tubes at alocation on the tubes between a portion of the tubes looping over theears and a portion of the tubes where the tubes extend over theshoulders so that the strap extends between the tubes behind the neck ina hollow generally between the wearer's head and neck; and tighteningthe securement strap to prevent the cannula tubes from falling off ofthe ears.
 2. The method as in claim 1, wherein the strap is tightened topull the tubes off of the back of the wearer's ears, but does not liftthe tubes up off of the top of the ears.
 3. The method as in claim 1,wherein the nosepiece, tubes looping over the ears, and the securementstrap are the only means for securing the cannula on the wearer.
 4. Themethod as in claim 1, wherein the strap is attached at a location on thetubes within 1 inch below the right and left earlobes and within 1 inchbehind the earlobes.
 5. The method as in claim 1, wherein no part of thestrap extends to a level above the wearer's earlobes.
 6. The method asin claim 1, wherein the strap has a center and a strap first end and asecond end, wherein the strap has a strip of hook fastener and acooperating strip of loop fastener near the first end and the strap hasa strip of hook fastener and a cooperating strip of loop fastener nearthe second end.
 7. A method of securing nasal cannula to a wearer'shead, the method comprising: providing a nasal cannula on a wearer, thenasal cannula having a nosepiece and oxygen-conduit right and leftcannula tubes extending from the nosepiece, by placing the nosepiece inthe wearer's nostril's and looping the right and left cannula tubes overright and left ears of the wearer, down behind the ears, forward abovethe shoulders, and to the wearer's chest; securing the cannula tubesonly by the method comprising attaching a securement strap to the rightand left cannula tubes at a location on the tubes below the wearer'sears so that the securement strap extends between the tubes behind theneck in a hollow generally between the wearer's head and neck; andtightening the securement strap to prevent the cannula tubes fromfalling off of the ears; so that, when the wearer rests his head on apillow, the strap is not significantly compressed between the wearer'shead and the pillow.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the strap ispositioned so that no part of the strap is above the earlobes.